Fact or Fiction?

“I saw it on Facebook, it has to be true!” says everyone, ever. It is so easy to get caught up in the latest health fads promoted by celebrities and so-called fitness influencers. However, both populations have something in common: the lack of credentials to teach and encourage such practices.

The influence that others have on you and the feeling that you must be exactly like them is stronger now than it has ever been. Becoming a victim to those with no educational background in such a subject matter can produce unwanted effects on an individual, both physically and mentally. Therefore, being aware of certain catchphrases used to reel audiences in that can also be tied to hoaxes or false claims is crucial.

Assuring that your information is coming from a credible source is an overlooked, integral aspect of your health and fitness journey. There are many ways to make certain that your references are reputable.

Don’t Fall into the Trap!

Here are some red-flag expressions to be cognizant of on your daily social media scrolls:

• “How to lose 10 pounds in 10 days.” How can a headline like this not sound appealing? Just 10 days to lose my stubborn fat?! However, quick-fix gimmicks like these should prompt immediate sirens to go off as they tend to not be realistic or

• “It worked for me; it is guaranteed to work for you!” Health and nutrition are not a one-size-fits-all principle. Everybody and every body is different, therefore, individualized and personalized approaches must be taken.

• “Carbs be gone!” Cutting out macronutrients or food groups in their entirety can put an individual at risk of not obtaining certain, necessary

Playing Detective

Cue Sherlock Holmes! Here are some steps to take to determine an individual’s credentials and the credibility of their advice:

• Find out who created the post and/or wrote the article and the source that it came from: If the writer’s credentials are not provided, search for their name on the Internet. The same principle in regard to the source, if it is unknown to you then do some research on it! However, .gov and .edu websites are typically reliable, yet further examination may be needed.

• Determine if the source is current or if it is outdated: The information in the post may be inaccurate if knowledge and understanding of the topic have evolved since it was first posted or

• Determine if the information is stated as an opinion: Are there any citations included in support of the facts provided? If the post is written solely via the individual’s position and perspective on the topic, it may not be a dependable source of

Think you’re ready to debunk the Internet?!

Your Turn to Take Action: How will you make sure that your source is credible? Let me know in the comments below.